Soviets break off relations with Finland
Wednesday, November 29, 1939 www.onwar.com
In Moscow... The Soviet government breaks off diplomatic relations with Finland. Molotov warns that the Red Army must be prepared for any eventuality.
In Helsinki... The Finnish government offers to enter into renewed discussions over the territorial dispute, suggesting conciliation or arbitration, in accord with the non-aggression treaty.
In Britain... It is reported that the chancellor has received family jewels, gold and gifts from foreigners to help finance the war effort.
In Madrid... The Spanish government ratifies a friendship pact with Germany, including secret clauses allowing Germany to use Spanish ports and promising cooperation on police and propaganda.
In the North Atlantic... The German freighter Idarwild is sunk by the British warship Diomede off the coast of the United States. The USS Broome had been following the Idarwild until the British warship arrived. The Broome does not intervene in the destruction of the freighter. American behavior in this incident goes unchallenged by Berlin.
In Washington... Secretary of State, Cordell Hull, informs the press that the United States is prepared to mediate the dispute between Finland and the USSR.
In the United States... Fritz Kuhn, the leader of the German-American Bund, is found guilty of grand larceny and forgery.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Diomede_(D92)
HMS Diomede was a Danae class cruiser of the Royal Navy. Constructed at Vickers Armstrong, Barrow, she was constructed too late to take part in World War I and was consequently completed at the Royal Dockyard, Portsmouth. Between the wars, she served on the China Station, Pacific waters, East Indies Waters and from 1936 onwards, in reserve. In World War II she performed four years of arduous war duty, during which time she captured the German blockade runner Idarwald. Between 22 July 1942 and 24 September 1943 she was converted to a training ship at Rosyth Dockyard. In 1945 she was placed in reserve and scrapped a year later.
Hmmmmm. OnWar seems to be in error regarding HMS Diomede and the Idarwald. That event didn’t happen until 1940
5 Dec 1940
HMS Diomede (Capt. J.W. Farquhar, RN) intercepts the German passenger / cargo ship Idarwald (5033 GRT) off Cape Corrientes, Cuba. Unfortunately before the German ship can be captured it is set on fire by her crew and finally sinks on December 9th.
http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/1205.html
Also another account of the Rawalpindi sinking at the uboat.net website.